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A government planning inspector has ruled that proposals for 65 new homes in Adderbury can go ahead, despite being rejected by district councillors.

Last June, Cherwell District Council refused plans for the homes with associated access, open space and landscaping.

Applicant Berkeley Homes launched an appeal and, following a hearing in November, inspector Tim Wood granted permission for the development to go ahead, citing a housing shortfall in Cherwell.

Cllr Michael Gibbard, lead member for planning, said: "While the decision to permit this development may help Cherwell make up the shortfall for the five-year land supply, it completely contradicts everything that localism is supposed to stand for.

“Cherwell and Adderbury Parish Council are not adverse to accepting development within the village. Adderbury’s emerging neighbourhood plan and Cherwell’s proposed submission local plan both recognise the village as a sustainable location to accommodate additional housing. However, despite both parties taking proactive steps to identify alternative, more suitable sites, the voice of the local residents and councillors has once again fallen on deaf ears.”

Recent reviews of Cherwell's housing provision have confirmed the council can only demonstrate a 4.7-year land supply, falling short of the government's five-year target.

Summarising his decision to uphold the appeal, Mr Wood said: "In the absence of demonstrable five year housing land supply, significant weight is attached to the contribution that the proposal would make in this respect.

"The appeal site is in a relatively sustainable location where residents would have access to shops, services and employment opportunities. I have found that dismissal of the appeal on prematurity grounds in relation to the proposed submission local plan or the Adderbury neighbourhood plan is not justified."